Youth Issues: Mental Health in Australia

This document explores the prevalent issue of mental health among youth in Australia. It discusses the causes, stereotypes, and perspectives surrounding this issue. The media reports and articles provide evidence and analysis of the seriousness of the problem, emphasizing the urgent need for help and support. The document also highlights the stereotypes associated with mental health issues and the perspective used by different media houses.

YOUTH ISSUES

Table of Contents
ACTIVITY 1....................................................................................................................................1
Part A......................................................................................................................................1
Part B......................................................................................................................................1
Part C......................................................................................................................................1
ACTIVITY 2....................................................................................................................................2
ACTIVITY 3....................................................................................................................................4
Part A......................................................................................................................................4
Part B......................................................................................................................................7
ACTIVITY 4..................................................................................................................................10
Part A: References................................................................................................................10
Part B: Essay Plan................................................................................................................11
ACTIVITY 5..................................................................................................................................13
Question 1.............................................................................................................................13
Question 2.............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

ACTIVITY 1
Part A
The group topic that has been assigned to us was “Teaching teens about contraception
make them more likely to engage in sexual activity”. The initial thought which I experienced
regarding this particular topic was associated with the fact that it is imperative for youths like me
to gain knowledge, as well as provide the same about how best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and
an educated approach towards sexual activities. Initially I thought this would allow me to expand
my horizon towards physical intimacy as well as it would allow me to gain better knowledge
towards the necessity and use of contraception.
Part B
When the group topic was assigned to me, I was quite appropriately aware about the term
contraception and its need while engaging in sexual activities. In addition to this, I was also very
much aware about the health benefits associated with contraception. However, a rather limited
and brief knowledge was gained by me before this activity as there was limited exposure towards
acquiring education about sexual activities and contraception earlier. Prior to this group task, all
the knowledge about this topic that was gained by me was acquired through either internet or
social interactions.
Part C
Working this module has been quite enriching and effective for me in regards to gaining
knowledge, as well as experience about a range of youth issues. In addition to this, I learnt that it
is very crucial and imperative for individuals to be supported and to be provided educated during
their transition phase, as it is important to inculcate various values and positive mindsets that
restrict their involvement into anything unhealthy or illegal. Moreover, I also learnt the
importance of education given to individuals in their teenage about several aspects like substance
or drug abuse, alcohol, sexual activities, social transitions and so forth, which allows these
individuals towards making correct choices for themselves and hence, choose a better path
towards adulthood.
I specifically gained effective learning towards transition of individuals to a teen and
within adulthood, along with a range of issues, such as high risk behaviour, drug usage, suicides,
mental health and so forth, which allowed me to get an insight about the lifestyle changes which
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are required to be implemented with a dire need of a strong and much more advanced social and
legal systems which guarantees a safe and positive transition of individuals into this phase and
towards becoming better individuals.
ACTIVITY 2
Roizen’s 4L’s Model
This model was developed by Ron Roizen, which is subjected towards individuals who
are dealing with substance abuse. It comprises of 4L’s, which are Lover, Liver, Lifestyle and
Law, all of which are directed in helping individuals overcome their problem of substance abuse.
It relates with the study material as substance abuse has been considered as one of the most
crucial youth issue which must be dealt immediately to prevent its harmful impacts on society
(McNamara, 2015).
Criminalisation:
Criminalisation refers to the action by individuals who make an action illegal. This could
be done through coercion, sexual assaults, cyber bullying and so forth. It is very much related to
unit materials as sexual assault and other associated crimes have been present and taught during
the unit.
Casualisation:
This refers to the transition of employees from being chiefly employed individuals to the
ones who are casually employed. This changes their pay scales and standard of living. It is
associated with the unit materials as it is being taught as one of the most prominent reasons as to
why these individuals leave their homes for independent living.
Over-representation:
This refers to the state of expressing an issue or event quite more than average times.
Within the unit, youth issues have been over represented and examples have been taught in
relation to alcoholism, substance abuse, mental health and so forth. Hence, this relates to the unit
materials as almost every unit readings mention several issues that are being dealt and
experienced by individuals during their teenage transitions (Hall, Gartner & Forlini, 2015).
Non-Linear Transition:
This type of transition refers to the aspect when individuals could not transit into the roles
of adults in singular or multiple parts of their lives due to various reasons. Some of these reasons
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are being unable to get work, unable to leave their homes and so forth. It is associated with unit
materials, as learning has been provided of how this transition leads to several youth issues.
Millennial:
These are the individuals who have just transited into adulthood and belong to age 18-36.
These are the ones who are considered youth and are most important parts of the society. The
link these have from unit materials is that most of the issues and case studies have been
surrounded around these individuals only.
Discourse:
Discourse refers to a debate or detailed analysis of a subject matter. It could be associated
with youth issues and along with several arguments within the same. In case of the unit
materials, there are several instances, where there is a scope of debate and argument, which links
this element with them (Strnadová, O’Neill & Cumming, 2017).
Teenager:
These are the individuals who belong to their teenage years and experience the period of
adolescence. During these periods they are exposed to physical, social and mental transition
which is considered as a part of growing up. Almost the whole study material witnesses their
transition into adulthood, which enhances their linkage in a very strong manner.
Social Stigma:
Social Stigma refers to the discrimination against individuals who are perceived different
from the society due to physical or mental illness. This is one of the most prominent reasons for
mental stress and illnesses in these individuals. It is linked with unit materials as Social Stigma
has been discussed for Wellness and Mental Health teachings.
Post-Adolescence:
This refers to the stage after adolescence where individuals have emerged as ready to be
adults but are yet to be considered as one effectively. This is because there might still be
interdependence of these individuals towards their adults, which restrict them from being an
adult. Its linkage in the unit material is within transition stages (MacDonald, 2017).
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ACTIVITY 3
Part A
Within Australia, there are several issues that have been very much prevalent and evident within
the country. However, one of the most severe out of the lot is associated with Mental Health
within teens, which is being chosen as the youth issue for this activity. Hence, several examples
from the media reports are presented below:
1. SBS: Mental Health is one of the top concerns for youth in Australia.
Evidence: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/mental-health-environment-top-concerns-for-young-
australians
2. ABC News: Mental Health Issues quite common amongst youth of the Country.
Evidence: https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2019-10-23/mental-health-concerns-increasingly-
common-young-people/11628094
3. Telegraph: Social Media is one of the prominent reasons for mental health problems
Evidence: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/11/social-media-linked-increased-risk-
mental-health-problems/
4. Herald Sun: Mental Health Statistics
Evidence:
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Illustration 1: Mental Health in Victoria
(Source: Mental Health Statistics Australia 2019, 2020)
5. The Guardian: Youth Mental Health requires urgent help
Evidence:
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Illustration 2: Case of Tykara Lang
(Source: Why youth mental mealth is in need of urgent help, 2020)
6. The Conversation: 3 out of 4 individuals develop signs of mental illness before 25
years.
Evidence:
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Illustration 3: Mental Halth Draft Report
(Source: https://youtu.be/cB3oJH80CTM)
7. Facebook: Youth Mental Health Statistics
Evidence: https://www.facebook.com/ANZMHA/videos/youth-mental-health-statistics-you-
need-to-know-camhc-mentalhealth/521092675137006/
Part B
1. Discussion of use of specific language
It is quite imperative that all the above articles are analysed based on the kind of language
that is being used to describe and evaluate the youth issue. With respect to almost all the above
evidences, mostly each media house described Mental Health as one of the major causes of
concern within the Australia. Furthermore, all the examples mentioned above took either the real
time data available on national and global websites, or have used interviews and current patterns
of mental stress within the organisation in an appropriate manner.
The tone in which this issue has been addressed within all these examples is related to
concern, as well as the motive seems to create pressure on the readers, especially adults to
analyse the seriousness and act upon it for the betterment of the individuals. In addition, while
the media reports also outline challenges and causes for the same, the specific use of phrases
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such as “urgent help” and “mental health problems” were used substantially to ensure that its
seriousness is very well understood by the people getting access to this information.
However, the language used in media houses such as Herald Sun, The Australian and The
Guardian used a very pessimistic tone and use of strong words to describe the issue in an
effective manner. One particular example from the above instances is of The Guardian, where it
used a phrase “Sadness is all you have” in one of its articles while analysing a case of one of the
individual who had experienced mental stress while she was young. Such phrases were used for
creation of a strong and long term impact upon people reading these articles, along with
emphasising upon the magnanimity of the issue.
However, there were limited overrepresentation and the use of language was mostly to
present causes, facts, likely consequences and recommendations only. However, the social media
examples such as videos on portals like Facebook and YouTube have used tonal adjustments, as
well as filled up gloomy tunes to reflect towards explanation of the issue.
2. Identification and Exploration of stereotypes
It is again very crucial to determine and explore the stereotypes that have been implemented
in media in order to understand the common themes and aspects that have been provided by the
organisations in evaluating the social issue effectively (Correa-Velez, Gifford & McMichael,
2015).
The very first stereotype which the reports and articles showcased was associated with the
causes of mental health problems within the youth. For instance, articles by ABC news and The
Telegraph explored that Social Media has a great influence over the youth of the country and
hence, is one of the major causes of mental health issues within the masses. Hence, the media has
created a stereotype in relation to social media as one of the most evident causes of mental stress.
The reasons which these articles gave that there is a high range of social networking on the
internet and hence, it leads to cyber-bullying or coercions, verbal or sexual assaults and so forth.
Another prominent stereotype which the articles created is related to the outcomes of mental
stress. The over exaggeration of words like depression and anxiety has been created as a very
prominent stereotype which is linked with different kinds of mental illnesses and causes as a
definite outcome. An element which contributes towards making the magnitude of this
stereotype even stronger is related to linking the mental health issues to actions like suicide. The
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media reports have taken these three factors as ultimate outcomes of mental health issues within
the youth of Australia.
One crucial exaggeration which these reports have highlighted in their attempt to evaluate the
overall issue within the country is associated with risk. Almost all the media houses mentioned
above emphasise on the fact that a very high percentage of individuals in their youth are at a
brink of suffering from mental health problems. Moreover, one of the reasons which were
explained by the articles was related to bad infrastructure of the country towards dealing with
this issue. Hence, the reports from these media houses pointed out that the risk for these
individuals arises in an abrupt and drastic manner as there are still limitations within the
country’s healthcare towards dealing with this issue in an appropriate manner.
Thus, these were the stereotypes which were created by these articles and were mostly
emphasises throughout the analysis of the issue of Mental Health amongst the youth within
Australia.
3. Discussion of Perspective Used:
The perspective is really imperative to be considered as it is crucial to determine the
relevance and research that has been put into the information that has been presented. Almost all
the media houses, except The Conversation operate quite vast on scale and are very much
authorised and audited by the government agencies towards the relevancy and authentication of
their content. Hence, in relation to their reporting over this youth issue, it is most likely that the
person who is reporting is an editor, who is an individual responsible to indulge in primary and
secondary searches to derive information related to subject matter and who presents the same in
an appropriate, unbiased and effective format.
In relation to the voice of the young, there are case studies such as one Tykara Lang
presented by The Guardian. The individual has been given an opportunity to explore her own
state of mind when she was young and to provide a full account of what have possibly gone
wrong down the line and how she managed to overcome her situation. Another example where
the youth have been given a voice is by the report of SBS News, where a survey was organised
to determine the youth’s point of view in relation to what they deem is most important issue
currently within the country. The majority of these individual chose mental health as the most
severe issue within the country, followed by climate change. Thus, this report is formed with
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taking into account the perception of youth over this issue (Abkhezr, McMahon & Rossouw,
2015).
Moreover, as for the experts, majority of the media articles, especially the ones like The
Guardian and The Telegraph have given accounts of several experts in the field of mental health
to provide relevance in their reporting. As for the former, it used experts from associations like
The Mission Australia, by name of James Toomey as one of the persons associated with the
analysis of Tykara Lang’s case. In relation to the latter, it used an expert from King’s College,
London by the name of Dr. Rina Dutta, towards providing explanations of how social media is
one of the causes for this youth issue.
ACTIVITY 4
Part A: References
1. Corcoran, J. (2016). Teenage pregnancy and mental health. Societies. 6(3). 21.
Justification: The reason for choosing this reference is that this study explores the issue of
teenage pregnancy due to avoidance of contraception which has a negative impact on mental
health of individuals involved in the same.
2. Abello, A., & et. al. (2016). Youth social exclusion in Australian communities: A new
index. Social Indicators Research, 128(2), 635-660.
Justification: As for this reference, it contributes towards assessing another prominent reason for
mental stress within the company amongst youth.
3. Denham, R., & et. al. (2016). Frequent peer problems in Australian children and
adolescents. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research.
Justification: This study explores the relationship and environments associated with peers of
individual that causes mental health problems.
4. Malla, A., & et. al. (2016). From early intervention in psychosis to youth mental health
reform: a review of the evolution and transformation of mental health services for young
people. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 51(3). 319-326.
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Justification: As it is a prominent issue within the country, the study explores how early
intervention could be used by parents and educational institutions towards dealing with this issue
5. Coles, M. E., & et. al. (2016). Adolescent mental health literacy: Young people's
knowledge of depression and social anxiety disorder. Journal of Adolescent
Health. 58(1). 57-62.
Justification: The reason of choosing this reference is associated with the rate of literacy which
youth has over their state of mental health problems.
6. Rickwood, D., Van Dyke, N., & Telford, N. (2015). Innovation in youth mental health
services in Australia: common characteristics across the first headspace centres. Early
intervention in psychiatry. 9(1). 29-37.
Justification: This reference has been chosen to provide a prominent conclusion towards this
issue as to what could be done appropriately towards addressing these issues effectively.
Part B: Essay Plan
Mental Health as a Legitimate Youth Issue
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to provide an insight towards whether the issue of mental
health is a moral panic or a legitimate issue concerning young people. Furthermore, the essay
also wishes to provide a prominent conclusion towards what the country is currently doing and
what should be done towards dealing with this issue.
Main Body
As per the above analysis, it could be stated that while mental health is a very prominent
youth issue to be dealt with, it’s still couldn’t be considered as a moral panic, rather it is a
legitimate issue. This is because mental health could be very well dealt with education, training
and preventing a hostile environment around teenagers, which shouldn’t be considered as panic.
However, to support this, it is first necessary to analyse the most prominent issues towards
mental health.
One of the most prominent causes of mental stress within the youth is associated with
adolescence pregnancy. This is a major issue that is directly related to mental stress for
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individuals involved. The reason this becomes a legitimate problem is due to lack of education
within teenagers towards contraception (Corcoran, 2016).
Another reason for mental stress within the Australia is associated with Social Exclusion,
which is mostly faced by individuals belonging from Aboriginal areas of the nation. According
to the study, the transition period into adulthood is clearly impacted of how socially included the
individual has been throughout their teenage. However, lack of awareness and practice of justice
and equality in some parts of the country leads to enhancement of mental stress in these people
(Abello & et. al., 2016).
Adolescents within the country also face certain peer problems such as issues with their
parents, friends and other social contacts which restrict them to keep a positive mindset. There is
lack of initiative from personal ends of parents and other social individuals towards creating a
positive environment towards individuals during their teenage which leads to mental health
issues (Denham & et. al., 2016).
Therefore, it is quite a legitimate issue with relevant problems that are needed to be fixed
so that this problem could be limited and eradicated as much as possible. For instance, the study
shows that Headspace has been implemented across Australia which is a front-line program
towards dealing with mental health problems. This adopts early intervention as a prominent
strategy towards dealing with the same (Malla & et. al., 2016).
One another way through which this problem could be dealt with is through enhancing literacy
of individuals. According to the study, teenage individuals are very much aware about
depression which could be cured through seeking help from peer and professionals (Coles & et.
al., 2016).
As a legitimate issue, innovation plays a major role towards transformation of approach
towards dealing with the youth issue. Headspace is being known to consider heterogeneity while
planning its services and locations within the country, which is very effective and innovative in
dealing with this legitimate issue (Rickwood, Van Dyke & Telford, 2015).
Conclusion
Hence, as per the purpose of the essay, it could be concluded that it is a legitimate
problem to be dealt with which requires a proper infrastructure and peer network to be involved
completely. This would lead to reduction in this issue for the current and future generations and
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would allow parents, peers and other networks to help support the transition of individuals
effectively.
ACTIVITY 5
Question 1
Family formation and structure leaves negative as well as positive impact upon the mind set
of individuals. It is very important for the parents to pay attention towards their child so that they
can stop them to move towards criminalisation. This essay will cover detailed analysis of
changes in family formation and structure, labor market etc. Along with this, criminalization
issues and resolution of them with the help of decriminalization is also covered in this essay.
In earlier years people used to live together and all the individuals of family live in same
house. If the family formulation of 50 years ago is analysed then it could be assessed that over
past few decades all the families tends to live together and have their meals with each other.
With the changes in time family formation and structure has been changed. Now you people
want to become independent for which they prefer to leave their home after crossing the age of
18. In earlier years such as 1950’s or 1960’s a person would leave the home after getting a full-
time employment or after getting married it is totally their choice. But of that time is compared
with current era now children do not want to live with their parents as they think that their
mother and father are interfering in their personal life. Now with the time the living pattern of
individuals is also being changed. There are various social and economic factors which are
influencing young people to leave their home. Nowadays most of the youngsters are leaving
home to establish a good social image of them in front of their friends. It is one of the main
social factors which is influencing their behaviour to leave the home.
Domestic transition of young people is leaving impact upon the labour market. All the
youngsters want that they should have their own source of income so that they can fund their
expenses. For this purpose, they start working at vert young age. Due to this the labour market is
growing massively as the young people are working for earning. Nowadays all the individuals
leave their home after they get young as they want to be independent. It is the current trend in the
market which is resulting in higher level of jobs and boom in labour market. The negative impact
of it upon the lives of youngsters is that while working they are not able to pay attention towards
their studies. It is affecting their future career if they will not focus on their studies then it will be
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very difficult for them to attain good position in a company in future. It is very important for
them to pay attention towards their studies along with job.
Question 2
Most of the young individuals start to inhale drugs at very young age and after some time
they become addicted to it. It is very important for their parents to interact with them on regular
basis so that they can help them to overcome the addiction. The drug age result in various
criminal offences because when the individuals take drug then they are not in their senses and
they perform criminal activities. Youth who are involved in it portray a negative image of
themselves in the market.
The criminalisation issues that may tale place due to drugs uses are rape, theft, intaking
illegal drugs etc. When people at young age use drugs then it affects their senses and they
perform different types of criminal activities. Rape is one of them as when they are intoxicated
then they will not understand difference between right and wrong and they will do whatever they
will be asked to do. Some of the youngsters who are using drugs from a long period will provoke
the new ones and ask them to perform different criminal activities. It will leave negative impact
upon their mind and they will take part in criminalisation. Theft is another criminal activity
which could be performed by young people who are using drugs. Addition of such elements is
not good. When the youngsters will not have sufficient money to buy a drug then they will steal
money from their house or find any other source of getting it. Main purpose of performing such
activities is to get money to buy the drug. There are various types of drugs that are declared by
the legal authorities illegal and if a person will become addicted to it then he or she will perform
illegal activities. It can also result in strict action of government against them.
All these criminalisation issues could be resolved with the help of decriminalisation. It is
one of the main factors which could be focused by youngsters so that they can ignore their
involvement in criminal activities. It will be beneficial to aware them about such activities that
should not be performed by them. On the other hand, it can help to gather information of the
outcomes of taking part in criminal activities. Decriminalisation will impose specific regulations
so that the youngsters cannot take part in such criminal offences which could be performed by
them when they are not intheir senses because of drugs. It is highly focused with non-
consumption of drugs as it can harm the human life therefore it will be the best solution for the
problem of all the issues of criminalisation.
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From the above discussion it has been concluded that family structure and formulation affect
the mind set of individuals. Over past 50 years it has been changes in earlier years youngsters
tends to live with tehri family until they are married but now, they leave the home at young age
to become independent. At this time different types of criminal offences could be made by them.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abello, A., & et. al. (2016). Youth social exclusion in Australian communities: A new
index. Social Indicators Research, 128(2), 635-660.
Abkhezr, P., McMahon, M., & Rossouw, P. (2015). Youth with refugee backgrounds in
Australia: Contextual and practical considerations for career counsellors. Australian
Journal of Career Development. 24(2). 71-80.
Coles, M. E., & et. al. (2016). Adolescent mental health literacy: Young people's knowledge of
depression and social anxiety disorder. Journal of Adolescent Health. 58(1). 57-62.
Corcoran, J. (2016). Teenage pregnancy and mental health. Societies. 6(3). 21.
Correa-Velez, I., Gifford, S. M., & McMichael, C. (2015). The persistence of predictors of
wellbeing among refugee youth eight years after resettlement in Melbourne,
Australia. Social Science & Medicine. 142. 163-168.
Denham, R., & et. al. (2016). Frequent peer problems in Australian children and
adolescents. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research.
Hall, W., Gartner, C., & Forlini, C. (2015). Ethical issues raised by a ban on the sale of
electronic nicotine devices. Addiction. 110(7). 1061-1067.
MacDonald, F. (2017). Positioning young refugees in Australia: media discourse and social
exclusion. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 21(11). 1182-1195.
Malla, A., & et. al. (2016). From early intervention in psychosis to youth mental health reform: a
review of the evolution and transformation of mental health services for young
people. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 51(3). 319-326.
McNamara, P. (2015). Young people at risk of lifelong poverty: Youth homelessness in
Australia. In Theoretical and Empirical Insights into Child and Family Poverty (pp. 217-
238). Springer, Cham.
Rickwood, D., Van Dyke, N., & Telford, N. (2015). Innovation in youth mental health services
in Australia: common characteristics across the first headspace centres. Early
intervention in psychiatry. 9(1). 29-37.
Strnadová, I., O’Neill, S. C., & Cumming, T. M. (2017). A snapshot of education behind the
fence: Supporting engagement in education of incarcerated youth in
Australia. International Journal of Educational Research. 85. 33-42.
Online
Mental health concerns increasingly common among young Australians, report finds. 2020.
[Online] Available Through: <https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2019-10-23/mental-
health-concerns-increasingly-common-young-people/11628094>
Mental health, environment top concerns for young Australians. 2020. [Online] Available
Through: <https://www.sbs.com.au/news/mental-health-environment-top-concerns-for-
young-australians>
Social media linked to increased risk of mental health problems. 2020. [Online] Available
Through: <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/11/social-media-linked-increased-
risk-mental-health-problems/>
Youth mental health statistics you need to know. 2020. [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.facebook.com/ANZMHA/videos/youth-mental-health-statistics-you-need-
to-know-camhc-mentalhealth/521092675137006/>
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